Legislative Update: Republicans

House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci and President Pro Tempore TJ Shope join Ted to discuss the latest news from the Legislature, including the hearings on Dr. Theresa A. Cullen.

“There was kind of a vibe out there already that it was probably a nomination on thin ice to begin with,” said Shope. “At the end of the day, it was pretty clear to me that there was not going to be 16 votes for confirmation.”

Shope said he believes the nomination’s shakiness was largely due to COVID response and what occurred after restrictions were lifted. He points out there were, as he calls them, “naughty lists” of retail stores or restaurants were federal mask guidelines may not have been followed.

Cullen has previously served at the VA (veteran’s affairs) as assistant surgeon general and admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service. Despite these qualifications, Shope feels that her recent experience in Pima Country may have impacted her public perception.

“We’re not going to look at what was done during that experience of COVID with a fond eye,” said Shope. “Honestly, if you watch the clip, there was almost a portion of it during that testimony that you wondered where was the governor on the preparation of this nominee.”

Biasiucci concurs that the outcome of the hearings was a result of Cullen’s management of COVID in Pima county.

“If you look at Mojave county, which is in my district, we handled things a lot differently, we were open up- we opened up a lot faster,” said Biasiucci.